//
Place belonging to the United Kingdom
Photo: Andrew Neaum, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Saint Helena Island (pron. huh-LEE-nuh) is in the eastern part of the South Atlantic Ocean and is one of the world's most isolated islands. If you start crossing the Atlantic due west from the border between Namibia and Angola, Saint Helena Island will appear about one-third of the way across to Brazil.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
A great place to start your visit, though like most other attractions the hours are very limited. The museum is located in an early 19th-century warehouse at the foot of Jacob's Ladder in Jamestown. It has a variety of exhibits on the island's history and natural history. It was established in 2002, so the information is up to date and the installations are beautiful.
An 18th-century building that used to contain the island's museum.
On the wharf in Jamestown includes the names of all Saints who died in the two world wars, including those who perished in a German U-boat attack in James Harbour in 1941.
A staircase that rises from Jamestown to Ladder Hill Fort high above. It is said to have 699 steps. The "Ladder" was built in 1829 as an inclined plane to help Jamestown haul ammunition up to the post on Ladder Hill. Then it was used to bring goods down from the farming areas in the centre of the island, and manure up out of town. The planes are on either side of the steps, and the cart on one side was used to counterweight the cart on the other. The Ladder is a prodigious climb at over 900 ft long, with a vertical drop of about 600 ft (180 m) and with a slope in places of about 45 degrees and very few tourists can climb it in one go. In addition to its length, its stairs are somewhat high, making the climb all the more difficult. There are railings, but no landings for the entire length, and those who are afraid of heights may not want to look down. If you see a child, you might want to ask them to show you how to slide down the railings; they manage this scary feat without killing themselves. The Ladder is lit at night.
It was built by the British in 1659 shortly after they took over the island. It serves as the seat of government, and even if you are not on a tour, you can probably peek into the Council Chambers. The Archives and Administration of the island are also located in the Castle. Very nearby is the Courthouse, which his a lovely building in itself and well worth a look. It houses the Magistrates and Supreme Courts.
It's in a rather disappointing building, that looks as though it could be much more interesting with a little help. It was apparently once an Officer's Mess. This is the place where you can buy one of Saint Helena's most famous exports: postage stamps. The Post Office sends out the stamps of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha to philatelists all over the world.
This oddly shaped park behind the Castle has a wide variety of relatively pedestrian tropical plants, and some of the island's endemics. It is also a good place to see swarms of the songbirds that have been introduced to the island over the years hanging around in the huge ficus trees.
These built across the mouth of the James Valley where it meets the sea only after Napoleon was brought to the island in the 19th century. Apparently it was built without an entrance, but a lovely archway has been built that frames the harbour in one direction and Jamestown in the other. Heading into Jamestown the coat of arms of the English East India Company can be seen above the archway. Upon exiting, you can see a plaque depicting the island's endemic Wirebird.
You might be excused for thinking that the water falls in the shape of a heart, but really this waterfall is so named because of the heart-shaped rock over which it falls. It can be seen from the north road out of Jamestown or walk to the foot of the 90-m fall, simply follow the valley up from Jamestown. Details at the St Helena National Trust.
This rather dark church just inside the fortifications of Jamestown and across from the Castle is the oldest Anglican Church in the southern hemisphere, dating from 1774.
Overlooking James Bay and built on the opposite side of the valley to Ladder Hill Fort, Mundens was built to aid the defence of James Bay. Mundens Battery can be explored after a short walk along a slender walled path, several building to Explore including gun Victorian Gun emplacements, Magazine. A rickety ladder leads to a lower gun emplacement, on the rocks directly below the Battery can be seen Several of the Guns from the Mundens Battery.
In the town of the same name, was the home in which Napoleon spent the great majority of his time on Saint Helena and also where he died. It has several wings and contains the type of furniture it would have when he lived there, though most of the originals have been carried off elsewhere. The house is run as a museum and maintained by the French government. It is set in a grounds filled with flowers, and the gardens are well worth some time on their own. Napoleon died at Longwood House.
Is the home of the island's governor. The building looks like a Georgian mansion plucked from England and plopped down in the South Seas. The grounds are lovely, and there is a nature trail through the park. A number of Seychelles tortoises inhabit the lawn, and one, Jonathan, was born around 1832 and is the oldest known living terrestrial animal in the world. He is joined by David, Emma, Fredricka and Myrtle.
St Helena is surrounded by pristine waters, teeming with underwater wildlife and interesting wreck sites. St Helena is visited by humpback whales, whale sharks and devil rays. Permanent populations of dolphins (pantropical spotted, bottle nose and rough toothed) can be found around the island, and other cetaceans have been spotted, including pygmy sperm whales. Also, there are boats that offer dolphin and whale watching trips, as well as several dive operators on the island offering wreck, cave, and leisure dives.
Open air restaurant with a festive atmosphere overlooking the Castle Gardens. Tuna is the main fish of the island, and Anne is famous for her fish cakes, another island speciality. Open for dinner, but only if you call before noon.
You can't miss this restaurant, even though it is only a window in a wall, because the window is directly next to the archway in the city wall. Takeaway only.
Excellent country inn food in an elegant, small dining room of a private house. Call in advance for reservations. The day before is recommended.
You can eat at this guest house if you call in advance to reserve a place at the table.
Extensive à la carte selection of Oriental dishes including Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Malaysian and Philippine. High quality service. Seats 40. Take-away available.
Coffee, snacks and desserts available at this outdoor cafe. Very nice picnic tables on the lawn to take advantage of the ocean view.
Set daily menu. Carry out only.
Four independent flats in the centre of Jamestown. Details, prices and full contact information on the website.
The Consulate Hotel is the largest lodging facility on the island. It has a restaurant and bar, and all bedrooms are en suite. The front porch under the wrought-iron balcony is a fine place to sit with a Savanna cider in hand and watch the world pass by in central Jamestown.
The Wellington House Hotel is in a beautiful, cobalt blue Georgian building located on the main street in Jamestown. Rooms are comfortable, boarding options are available, and a bar can sell alcohol to guests. Bathrooms are not en suite.
Farm Lodge is a wonderful country house hotel. It is in the highlands in a beautiful 17th-century farm house with lots of antiques and wonderful food. The views are spectacular. If you don't have a car, it is good for a night or two, and is situated 5 mi from Jamestown. There is a drinks cooler in the dining room that the owners claim belonged to Napoleon. It was built as an East India Company planter's house in approx 1690. It is set in its own of gardens and farmland. A hire car costs about £12 per day and there is a local bus service to and from town costing £1 each way. The trip is less than 30 minutes. The farm produces fresh fruit and vegetables, meats, eggs, coffee, etc., for the dining room table. All the 5 bedrooms are en suite, and full board is available. Dinner is 5 courses, and the majority is fresh organic food from the farm. The coffee is Green Tipped Bourbon Yemeni brought to the island in 1733 by the East India Company and was enjoyed by Napoleon during his years of incarceration. Guests have the option of B&B, half board or full board. The house is also open to non-residents for morning coffee, lunches, afternoon teas and dinners. A fully stocked bar is available.
Souvenirs, gifts, cards, etc. They have a website about the island.
By car
Rental cars (£10-12 a day) are probably the more practical method of travel, but be sure to reserve one in advance.
By foot
Walking is wonderful, but mostly in the highlands in the centre of the island. The 21 Post Box Walks, a series of graded trails are a good way to explore much of the island.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Jamestown · Regional · HLE
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Saint Helena (island) and Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha.
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.
